Finally! Official Hot Stove League Thread

[bpj]

Not looking like Ian Happ will be available either. Cubs looking to add rather than subtract.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/11/ ... arket.html

[Seattle or Bust]

Was Tim Anderson rumored to be available at some point?

Doesn't seem like a very White Sox type of move to trade him off.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/11/ ... aints.html

If payroll constraints are a problem... it would make sense to me that they move player with not a lot of control that could bring back good value in the trade market while also shedding cash. They're paying out some bad contracts on that team... Moncada, Lynn, Grandal... and have a horrible farm system. Might be time to start rebuilding that again.

[D-train]

Not looking like Ian Happ will be available either. Cubs looking to add rather than subtract.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/11/ ... arket.html

Yep saw they are going after the SSs. Guessing they won't be asking them to move to 2B........

[D-train]

Was Tim Anderson rumored to be available at some point?

Doesn't seem like a very White Sox type of move to trade him off.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/11/ ... aints.html

If payroll constraints are a problem... it would make sense to me that they move player with not a lot of control that could bring back good value in the trade market while also shedding cash. They're paying out some bad contracts on that team... Moncada, Lynn, Grandal... and have a horrible farm system. Might be time to start rebuilding that again.

Can't believe Moncada tanked. Looks like a failed rebuild other than their one playoff appearance.

[D-train]

If only all women were so easily impressed.....lol

[GL_Storm]

I was looking at the Braves payroll and I think I understand a little bit better what's going on over there. They've done a good job managing their budget, but they do still have some bad money on the books for 2023 and 2024, and that no doubt is why Dansby is a free agent right now and why Anthopoulis is open to the idea of moving Acuna, which to me seems like a bad idea. But Acuna's relatively friendly contract makes him much more valuable in a trade than he otherwise would be, because he's also a potential aircraft carrier in terms of production.

I'm sure part of this is that Dansby wants a market rate contract, which his agent is no doubt trying to peg to Corey Seager's deal with Texas. I don't see a team that's going to give him that, but 7 or 8 years seems likely, and I think the Braves could be that team. But I'm guessing if they do that deal, the AAV will be high enough that they will need to move payroll, which is where Acuna and his $17 mil AAV comes in because the Braves can get something good in return and also potentially move another big salary, like Marcell Ozuna. That pays for Dansby and gives them some payroll breathing room for the next two years, when even more money will drop off.

Anyway, that's what I think might be happening in Atlanta, which could impact the Mariners even if they aren't directly involved. You know how deals start happening when the first domino falls. It does seem odd to me that Braves ownership is forcing this situation (if in fact that's what's happening) by seemingly pushing on Anthopolous to keep the payroll under a certain amount. I mean, you would think that keeping a really good team together would be a priority, even if you do stretch the budget for a few years. But I think probably this is what is happening over there, or something along these lines.

They could also be looking to sign Trea Turner (who is said to prefer the east coast and is from the south) instead of Dansby, or Turner could be option 2 if Dansby suddenly signs with team X. But either player is going to be a huge salary commitment.

One thought that just occurred to me is that if the Braves sign Dansby (or one of the other shortstops), and the Yankees lose Judge, the Yankees would be in a position to take on Acuna, Ozuna, and maybe one of the other smaller (but still bad) contracts from Atlanta, and maybe without giving up much in return - just a classic salary dump. The Yankees would then be getting a much younger star-level player. That's what I would probably do. Life remains good for the Yankees I suppose.

[Sexymarinersfan]

Was Tim Anderson rumored to be available at some point?

Doesn't seem like a very White Sox type of move to trade him off.

Yeah I don't know where these Tim Anderson ideas have been coming from. Isn't he the face of that franchise? I highly doubt that the White Sox who are looking to contend trade one of their fan favorites.

[bpj]

I'm hoping Dipoto acts fast on the trade market instead of waiting to see which players end up coming hat in hand, because everything I read says that every other team needs corner outfielders and second basemen.

He needs to go hard and fast after the players they've identified as best fits so he doesn't get stuck sitting on his thumbs (again).

[D-train]

Logan makes a huge FA acquistion! Congrats!

[Coeurd’Alene J]

I'm hoping Dipoto acts fast on the trade market instead of waiting to see which players end up coming hat in hand, because everything I read says that every other team needs corner outfielders and second basemen.

He needs to go hard and fast after the players they've identified as best fits so he doesn't get stuck sitting on his thumbs (again).

The Aaron Judge signing likely will have to go down to get the outfield market going. This off-season will not be a bargain and teams like the Mariners will have to pay up. Lots of demand and lots of teams wanting to get better. The trade market might just be our avenue to improve at least in the outfield